Vacuum seal freezer bag

ABSTRACT

This invention describes a method and apparatus for freezing food in a plastic freezer bag under a vacuum. The vacuum seal device is a typical freezer bag, with an additional vacuum tube attached to the main storage body. This allows for the extraction of trapped air inside the freezer bag during its use. Excess air is removed through the vacuum tube, then the main storage body is sealed. This leaves a vacuum inside the main storage body, and no excess air surrounding the food medium. This device will enhance the storage life of frozen food, enhance the flavor of frozen food, and eliminate freezer burns on the frozen food.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention:

The technical field of this present invention relates to the preservation of food in the freezing process. More particularly the freezing of food in a freezer bag under a vacuum, and the benefits received by the use of this present invention. One of the problems facing the preservation of food using the freezing process, is the damage caused to the food medium by residual air left inside the freezing container. By freezing food in a vacuum, all the air surrounding the food is eliminated. This process has been proven to have beneficial properties on the food being frozen. These benefits are increased freezer life, enhanced retention of original flavor, and elimination of freezer burn associated with trapped air in a typical freezer bag.

(2) Description of the Related Art

There are many related inventions on the market related to freezing and the storage of food. Specifically the freezing of food in a plastic freezer bag. According to the present invention, this freezing process can be enhanced by eliminating trapped air inside a freezer bag during its use. There is no evidence that the inventor could find that pertains to the methods used in the present invention. The prior freezer bag structures are generally in the same category. The standard plastic body of varying sizes, then the sealing apparatus at its opening. Modifications of this sealing apparatus are many, and the typical point of interest regarding differences of the many previous inventions. However, all of these designs do not address the residual air left inside, and surrounding, the food medium upon completion of the sealing process. Therefore all previous structures have this inherit weakness. There always remains a portion of trapped air inside the freezer bag during its use. Not one of the previous inventions on the market today has a manner to eliminate trapped air inside the freezer bag. In view of this shortcoming, the inventor has envisioned the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INENTION

In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a system to create and maintain a vacuum inside the standard plastic freezer bag. The device of the present invention is a vacuum tube, incorporated in the standard plastic freezer bag. This tube allows for air inside the unit to be removed from inside the unit. By placing the users mouth on the vacuum tube, and gently using suction, air is eliminated from inside of the freezer bag. Thus eliminating air inside the freezer bag. This leads to a series of advantages; among which the following standout:

-   -   the lengthening of storage life of the food medium due to being         frozen under a vacuum.     -   the elimination of harmful freezer burn of the food medium due         to being frozen under a vacuum.     -   the retention of original food flavor of the food medium due to         being frozen under a vacuum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE INVENTION

For a better understanding, some drawings of a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention are appended by way of a non-limiting example.

FIG. 1 is an expanded view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the side view of the embodiment as described in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The device of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a main storage body 1, a bag opening 2, a main bag seal 3, a second independent seal 5, isolated from the main bag seal by a separation seal 4, the vacuum tube 6, and the outside bag seal 7.

Referring now to FIG. 1, all components of the present invention are made with flexible clear plastic as associated with common freezer bags. Its main storage body 1, is the chamber that holds the food medium to be frozen and preserved. It has a bag opening 2, that allows filling and access to this main storage body. The three outside edges of the main storage body 1, are sealed from the environment by a outside bag seal 7. The bag is bordered and sealed on its fourth side by the main bag seal 3, and the independent second seal 5. These are standard interlocking seals that are on most freezer bags. One side of the seal interlocks into the opposite side via a female male interlocking connection. This watertight seal is formed by pressing both sides together and interlocking the male connection into the corresponding female connection. The main bag seal 3, is isolated from the second independent seal 5, by a separation seal 4. This isolates the second independent seal 5, from the main bag seal 3. Allowing for the independent use of both seals. The vacuum tube 6, is located atop the main storage body 1, with a hollow passage entering the main storage body 1, through the second independent seal 5.

In operation of the present invention, the main storage body 1 is filled through its bag opening 2. The food medium is then enclosed in the main storage body 1, by closing the main bag seal 3. This seals the major portion of the bag; leaving only the second independent seal 5 open. This seal is isolated from the main body seal by the separation seal 4. The consumer then places their mouth on the vacuum tube 6, creating a vacuum by gently sucking air out through the vacuum tube 6, and out of the main storage body 1. When all the air is removed from main storage body 1, the unit is closed by sealing the independent seal 5. This leaves the food medium inside the main storage body 1 under a vacuum, and with no trapped air left inside the unit.

As an example of size, the vacuum seal freezer bag is intended to come in the standard sizes that are on the market today. Bags shall come in the sandwich size (6.5 by 5.75 inches approximately), quart size (7 by 8 inches approximately), and gallon size (10.56 by 11 inches approximately). The inventor of this present invention does not want to be limited solely to these sizes. It is understood that additional sizes may become necessary due to customers demand.

While only one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various modifications and changes could be made there unto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed. 

1. An apparatus for freezing a food medium, said device compromising essentially of a hollow main storage body of clear plastic, sealed on three sides, said body having a bag opening on its fourth side; this fourth side including a main bag seal, with a second independent seal located at it's end, and separated from the main bag seal by a separation seal, with a vacuum tube located on top of an independent seal, with its opening passing through that enters into the main bag body and through the second independent seal.
 2. The vacuum seal freezer bag structure, as recited in claim 1, where all said components are made of malleable clear plastic of varying thickness. 